Announcements

Deltacom July Mid-Month Customer Promotion

janderson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Because you can never get enough of a good thing, Deltacom is re-introducing the July Mid-Month Customer Promotion.

Through July 24, offer customers terrific bonus incentives to sign now with Deltacom.

$400 bill credit signing bonus for each new Simplici-T^SMand Simplici-T Plus^SM
$550 bill credit signing bonus for each new IP Complete^SM
$600 bill credit signing bonus for each new Simpli-Business^SM

For your convenience, the promotion certificate is available to complete and print online. Visit the Promotions and Contests page of the Dealer Extranet.

Follow the simple instructions. Please complete all required fields and ensure the accuracy of the information.

Questions? Contact your Regional Channel Manager or call 866.239.9000.

Rules

Promotion valid July 9-24, 2009 only.

New acquisition/location accounts only.

Eligible products include the Simpli-Business, Simplici-T and IP Complete suite of solutions.

Promotional certifications must be completed and submitted to ensure customer credit.

Credit applies only to the base package USOC and additional line USOCs.

Special pricing or additional VL items are not eligible for promotion credits.

Promotion may not be used in conjunction with other Deltacom customer promotions.

Customer will receive either a $400, $550 or $600 bill credit in their second monthly statement (excludes taxes, surcharges and long distance usage above what is included in the base product.)

Minimum three-year term required.

AT&T Roadshow

janderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:27:00 GMT

Solutions Providers,

Great news. We are planning a Complex AT&T Services Roadshow in Orlando on May 13^th between 10am and 3pm. Many of you have requested the ability to participate in a live environment to discuss the National Services we are now selling throughout the region and country. Although, I do not have the exact specifics today. I expect coverage of the following services and process: Hosting, VIOP Solutions, MIS, and the ABN contract process. I would appreciate participation of a minimum of two representatives from each SP organization currently active in the program. Please follow up with me at your earliest convenience with an approximate headcount from your organization and the names and email addresses of those participants.

Thank you,

Rey Perez

Channel Manager

AT&T Business Solutions

407-245-2114

Qwest 2008 Earnings Summary

janderson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:53:00 GMT

On Tuesday Feb. 10, 2009, Qwest reported earnings for 4Q08 and full year 2008. The company's results are impressive, given the current economic climate and the associated challenges most businesses face. Among the Qwest highlights in 4Q08 - earnings exceeded analysts' consensus estimate.

As you finalize your assessment of Qwest, particularly its overall ability to serve U.S. operations, the Qwest account team respectfully requests that you factor this very relevant information into your evaluation.

Financial Results: Qwest's Business Markets

- Revenue grew 4 percent year-over-year* and 1 percent sequentially

- Data and Internet revenues grew 9 percent in 4Q08

- Strategic products** make up approximately 2/3 of business revenues (better than peer group)

- Segment income grew $394M in 4Q08, a 9 percent YOY increase and 7 percent sequentially

- 4Q08 segment margin improved 150 basis points to 37.5 percent year-over-year;

- 37.5 percent segment margin represents sequential improvement of 220 basis points

- Thirty-nine percent of federal government RFPs and Statements of Work decided in 2008 were awarded to Qwest

* The services proposed by Qwest are the same services fueling Qwest's nationwide revenue growth.

** Qwest Business Markets unit outperformed (revenue growth) AT&T, VZ and Level 3 in 4Q08.

2. Corporate Performance

- Income before taxes grew 17 percent in the year-over-year quarter and 66 percent in 2008

- Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $593M in 4Q08; $1.44B in all of 2008

- Adjusted EBITDA was $1.14B, up 4 percent year-over-year and 9 percent sequential growth

- Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $593M in 4Q08; Adjusted FCF in 2008 was $1.44B

- 2008 Net Income was $681M; 4Q08 Net Income was $185M*

* The 49 percent year-over-year (4Q08 to 4Q07) decline in net income reflects an increased tax expense in 4Q08 as the company began recording income tax at normal effective rates beginning in 2008. Due to the company's net operating losses (NOLs), Qwest does not generally pay income taxes until the NOLs are used.

** The 77 percent decline in full-year comparisons reflects the recording of income tax at normal effective rates beginning in 2008 AND a one-time tax benefit of $2.1 billion in 2007 as Qwest was able to reverse the valuation allowance against the majority of our deferred tax assets, including NOLs.

3. Qwest's Strong Financial Picture:

- Cash Position Is Solid

- Cash and cash equivalents totalled $565M in 4Q08

- Adjusted Free Cash Flow in 4Q08 was $593M; $1.44M for the full year 2008

- Qwest paid four dividends in 2008 ($560M), further demonstrating the company's overall confidence in its ability to perform

- Manageable Debt Maturity Profile

- Investment grade treatment for the majority of debt

- Removed $420M in debt from Balance Sheet in 4Q08; $600M in all of 2008

- Prepaid $250M in 2009 debt maturities

- As of 4Q08, total debt was $13.7B; Total Net Debt dropped to $13B

- Cash on hand, solid Free Cash Flow and an $850M undrawn revolver are sufficient to cover Qwest's upcoming debt obligations

- Debt ratio improved to 2.9 from 3.0; proof that Qwest is managing debt effectively

4. Other Relevant Information To Consider

- Industry analysts assert enterprise customers desperately want service provider options beyond AT&T and VZ

- Gartner analyst Ted Chamberlin welcomes a call* from anyone at to discuss Qwest's ability to serve as primary U.S. carrier

- Significant growth in Qwest's flagship iQ Networking (MPLS) services

- Qwest is taking share from its competitors

- Positive customer experiences differentiate Qwest in the business market

- 2008 customer references grew 92 percent; video customer testimonials grew 257 percent!

- Qwest is the national service provider alternative to T and VZ

Summary

The strength of the financial results reported on Feb. 10, 2009 compelled the Qwest account team to share this information with as quickly as possible. We trust you will agree Qwest's 4Q08 results are impressive, given the current state of the U.S. and global economies. Moreover, considering the major telecom service providers that reported 4Q08 earnings, only Qwest reported revenue growth from its business market operations. We urge the management team to examine Qwest's Business Markets results and the reasons for that growth (which appear above). We are confident you will find the Qwest story even more compelling. To that end, this performance overview provides ample justification as to Qwest's ability to serve current and future networking needs in the U.S.

Deltacom Announces 2008 4th Quarter and Year End Results

janderson — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:24:00 GMT

As our valued partner, we want to be sure you don't miss Deltacom's latest press release announcing our 2008 4^th quarter and year-end operating and financial results. A summary overview of those financial results is also attached.

Deltacom had a record year in 2008, with continued customer growth, investments in network enhancements and new products, significant cash flow generation, and a strong balance sheet. We are making considerable investments - in our network, our back-office, and customer service initiatives - to deliver long-term value and efficiencies to our customers and to you. Some highlights of our 2008 results include:

Record financial performance - ~$500M in revenue and $84M in adjusted EBITDA*, the highest in Deltacom's history, due to network and back office investments and optimization.
9% growth of core retail facilities-based voice lines (last 12 months) - new customers recognize significant value in Deltacom helping them efficiently manage their telecom needs.
Operating and financial momentum - 2008 results compared to 2007 include 7% growth in core local and data revenues, a 9% growth in adjusted EBITDA, and an increase in our cash flow provided by operating activities from $23M in 2007 to $63M in 2008.
$20M self-funded network upgrade - network upgrade initiative largely complete, providing customers higher capacity services, increased service availability, and greater on-net reach. $17M was invested in 2008, with the remainder to be invested during 2009.
Strong liquidity position enabled investments in network and new products - our adjusted unlevered free cash flow of $19M included the investment of $17M in our network upgrade initiative. Excluding that $17M network investment, adjusted unlevered free cash flow would have been $36M in 2008 compared to $27M in 2007.
Strong balance sheet and committed investors - July 2007 refinancing reduced debt by more than $50M and annual interest expense by $25M, and was led by long-term investors on the basis of the company's strong operating performance.

Get Warmer With Cold Calling

janderson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:05:00 GMT

Face it. No one enjoys cold calling. It is laborious. It takes time. It stinks.

In a recent survey amongst 1100 business owners for my latest book, 87% state they dissatisfaction for cold calling. Ask any selling professional or business owner and they state disdain for cold calling. Rejection is the key component. No individual enjoys negation and unfortunately too many align cold calling with negative affects.

True, there is much rejection in cold calling but there are certain things you can do to be more effective.

1. Call Preparation

Call preparation is the single most imperative idea about cold calling. Before you make a call, you should understand the client, the industry, and perhaps any competitive issues. Never call a client without premise. Doing so is as foolish as selling those gadgets and gizmos through television infomercials.

Since your mission is to establish a relationship, you need to consider whom you will call and your call motive. Names of those to call can be purchased through database management systems, or obtained through referrals or reading industry periodicals.

2. Competitive Analysis

Once you obtain the required company information, it is necessary for you to conduct competitive analysis. Useful information related to prospective competitors to the buyer is helpful in understanding industry issues affecting the client. A sincere understanding of client issues assists in promoting a stronger relationship.

3. Value Proposition not Elevator Speech

The proliferation of both the Internet makes it easier for prospective clients to gain information on you. In addition, with so many competitive players, detailing your services to clients begins to sound ubiquitous to them. Heard one, heard them all as the cliché goes. Organizations today require focus on two complicated issues productivity and profitability- your mission is to create a succinct message that addresses these concerns. In other words, you need to depict your value and outcomes in a succinct method so that prospective clients understand your differentiation.

4. Call Opening

When you begin your call, state your name, and affirm the name of the person to whom you are speaking. You need to be certain you have pronunciations correct. In addition, have with you paper to take copious notes. Then provide an introduction based on an issue the company is facing. To exemplify,

Hello this is Drew Stevens, am I speaking with Aaron Ross?

Mr. Ross am I correct in understanding that you are responsible for Call Center Operations? I understand the center lacks customer retention and profits lag.

Then keep silent and await a reply.

5. State the Issue

Once you receive affirmation, state your value proposition. Integrate the value into the issue.

"Mr. Ross, we dramatically accelerate business growth and we assist organizations with profitability and productivity."

Pause quickly, and then ask a question. Would this be of interest?

6. Provide past work

After you gain affirmation to continue, provide succinct preferably bullets that describes previous work.

Here is an example:

We can provide you with advantages in the marketplace which include:

Reasons why staff becomes unmotivated and unproductive
Non-compensation retention and motivational methodology
Techniques that drive proper customer service and referral sales strategies

7. Action Step

One you achieve affirmation of the issues, provide value and gain interest, it is now time to bring the call to close. Ask the prospective client if they would like to obtain more information about the issue. If the action step is literature ask them when an appropriate time and date to follow up. If the next step is a direct meeting, then ask the prospective client a convenient time and date. Do not terminate the call without obtaining a date and time. Remember your mission is to gain an appointment, not close a sale.

8. Closure

Thank the prospective client for their time. Confirm the date the date of the next call and any action steps, i.e. reading brochure materials, fee schedule etc. Once complete terminate the call and place your notes and action steps in a follow up folder or file for review in the follow-up call.

9. Evaluation

The most nefarious act of any cold caller is terminating the call and then dialing another. Never simply "dive and dial". Take a few moments with each call to determine the ebbs and flows for needed adjustments. Review every call so that each one following is better than the first.

By Drew J. Stevens PhD. Stevens helps organizations to dramatically accelerate business growth. He is the author of Split Second Selling and is the President of Stevens Consulting Group.

AT&T to Invest $1 Billion in Global Network, Services for Businesses in 2009

janderson — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:51:00 GMT

AT&T Accelerating Delivery and Management of On-Demand Network Applications

Dallas, Texas, February 23, 2009

AT&T* today announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in 2009 to continue building out its global network, while driving new services and network-based applications to businesses ranging from the largest multi-national corporations around the world to the smallest companies served within the United States.

AT&T's investment is focused on the network infrastructure, services and support for companies requiring "anytime, anywhere" access to the systems, suppliers, customers and employees needed to successfully run their businesses. Spurred by continued demand for business applications made possible by the proliferation of high speed communication networks and mobile devices worldwide, the '09 program includes:

1. Applications- Delivery and support of network-based, on-demand applications - such as managed hosting, content delivery and management and telepresence.
2. Mobility Offers and Applications- Rapid roll-out of mobility solutions and applications to businesses of all sizes.
3. IBM- The continued integration of IBM's global network operations under the two companies' expanded agreement.
4. Global Network- The continued build out of AT&T's global network to deliver services and applications to the markets and geographies where multinational companies today are doing business and/or housing their operations.

"With today's announcement, AT&T is making good on its commitment to provide companies with the network-driven capabilities and applications they need to successfully compete in a difficult economic environment," said Ron Spears, President and CEO of AT&T Business Solutions.

"Regardless of size, the companies that seize the power of IP technology and services to transform their businesses, are the companies that will be best-positioned to lead the global recovery," he added.

AT&T is capitalizing on the ongoing shift in network traffic from voice to data and video - and more importantly to IP-based data and video - as customers migrate from legacy data networks to MPLS-based Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and managed applications.

Including this year's planned investment, AT&T will have invested more than $3 billion since 2006 in business-focused network, systems and applications to provide a globally consistent set of robust and secure services to the more than 3 million companies it serves.

The 2009 investment plan detail:

Network-Based Services and Applications:

Enhancements and additions to AT&T's virtual private network portfolio, wide area network (WAN), telepresence, unified communications, hosting, applications performance, and digital media solutions, all of which helped to drive double-digit IP data growth as reported in AT&T's recent fourth quarter earnings.
AT&T Telepresence service availability in China in collaboration with local service providers, to extend AT&T's ability to connect different companies using the service.
Managed IP telephony & local area network (LAN) services in China, India, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico.
In the hosting and utility computing space, AT&T is:
o Increasing data center hosting capacity in Atlanta, Annapolis and the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area in the United States, as well as in Hong Kong, Tokyo and the United Kingdom globally. Today, AT&T manages data centers with more than 2.6 million square feet of secure hosting capacity in 10 countries.
o Scaling the AT&T Synaptic Hosting^SMplatform in our recently announced super IDCs in Singapore, Amsterdam and three sites within the United States.
o Increasing the level of automation for delivering AT&T Synaptic Hosting services as we continue to drive down implementation cycle times for our customers.
o Expanding application services in the super IDCs by enabling more on-net managed applications, such as Oracle and SAP.
o Supporting more virtualized customer applications by expanding managed hosting services onto the client premises.
Extending the AT&T Intelligent Content Distribution Service reach into Mexico, and enhancing service in high growth areas such as Brazil, India and China. Plans also call for expansion of capacity in existing service countries and jurisdictions in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. This expansion will cover services such as Flash, Windows Media Format, Move Networks and Silverlight that support large file downloads and video formats. AT&T is also expanding its SSL security capabilities.

Mobility Services and Applications:

Accelerated deployment of mobile conferencing solutions, portal capabilities and business mobility applications for companies of all sizes in vertical industries like finance, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, education and government. AT&T is continuing its investment in platforms to support mobility application deployment including:
o Location based services - field service automation and fleet management applications for enterprise customers, leveraging advanced location technologies, such as GPS and enhanced Cell-ID, backed up by privacy management, charging and deployment management platform.
o AT&T Mobile Enterprise Applications platform for enterprises to efficiently and securely develop, deploy and support enterprise applications. This will build on AT&T's alliance with Antenna Software, and expand by adding business workflows that mobilize key enterprise processes.
o Enterprise On Demand (EOD) - our service delivery platform for customers to flexibly self manage large wireless data deployments of specialized vertical devices. The EOD platform is widely used for machine-to-machine deployments. Example enhancements include expansion of Web Services Interfaces for continued automation.
o External Access Gateway - a platform for third parties to use the AT&T network for network transactions such as network location based services queries.
Global management of multiple mobile operator contracts to support the wireless needs of multinational companies (i.e. order processing, invoicing).
Device protection and control and other security capabilities to ensure that companies can safely access applications and work tasks anytime, from any enabled device.
Fixed-mobile convergence capabilities, building on AT&T's Mobile Extension service announced earlier this year.

AT&T's business mobility services and applications will continue to be powered by the broadest wireless global coverage of any U.S. provider. AT&T has voice roaming available in more than 210 countries; access to e-mail, the Web and other data applications in more than 160 countries; and access to mobile broadband 3G networks in more than 65 countries. This is complemented by AT&T's expanding global WiFi footprint - now totalling more than 88,000 hotspots worldwide.

IBM Network Integration:

Continued integration of IBM's global network operations acquired through the 2007 expanded agreement with AT&T. AT&T and IBM have teamed together to deliver networking and computing technology and services to multinational companies. Through its agreement with IBM, AT&T last year added on-the-ground support and networking expertise in 48 countries worldwide, and closed more than a dozen new contracts.

Continued Global Network Expansion:

Deploying new subsea fiber optic cable capacity to Alaska, Australia, Asia Pac, India, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and on trans-Atlantic routes to Europe. Today, AT&T has ownership interests in 83 subsea cable systems, covering 488,000 route miles. In total AT&T's network has over 888,000 route miles of fiber.
VPN services will be extended in an additional 18 countries, giving VPN access in a total of 149 countries worldwide.
Extending access options to additional countries in every global market so that by the end of the year:
o VPN Ethernet access will be available in 38 countries increased from 34 today.
o VPN DSL access will be available in 44 countries increased from 38 today.
o VPLS access will be available in 31 countries increased from 15 today. AT&T's OPT-E-WAN^SMEthernet Virtual Private LAN is the only certified, fully unified global carrier Ethernet service based on a seamless MPLS/VPLS infrastructure available with coverage in the US and worldwide.
IPv6 deployment - to meet the global requirements of governments and companies, AT&T is deploying a multi-year plan to deliver a full complement of IPv6 networking services that will also preserve customers' existing IPv4 investment.
Deploying new network capabilities:
o AT&T Wavelength Private Line, a versatile, long-haul, monitored and managed service that can support multiple protocols that include gigabit Ethernet and 10 gigabit Ethernet LAN and WAN configurations.
o Enhanced AT&T Ultravailable Network Services so that businesses can take advantage of network monitoring and management tool sets, expert support and visibility through AT&T BusinessDirect^®.
o AT&T plans to continue to grow global backbone capacity by 1) introducing new and faster 10 Gb edge equipment, 2) increasing backbone bandwidth and 3) adding more Cisco CRS1 routers on key routes.
o Expanding network- and premises-based firewall capabilities, as well as the AT&T Internet Protect^®suite of capabilities including My Internet Protect, Private Intranet Protect, and DDoS Defense to the Asia-Pacific region.

In its most recent report**, the market research firm Ovum concluded that AT&T has the most complete footprint for enterprise managed services contracts among the top five global service providers, and could be the fastest growing global service provider in 2009.

* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Ovum, Enterprise Strategy Review: AT&T completes the deal, David Molony, Mike Sapien, Jan. 2009

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE^® magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available athttp://www.att.com/.

© 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Deltacom's flagship Simpli-BusinessSM service is now even better!

janderson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:40:00 GMT

New 6 line minimum Six lines is the new standard, minimum line count for Simpli-Business, without an increase in the base price! New 48-month term and 20% Your customers can now choose a four-year term on Simpli-Business, which provides the 20% loyalty discount on the base package from day one. To secure quotes using this new pricing and/or the new 48 month term, please contact your agent manager.

Qwest Online Training NOW AVAILABLE!

janderson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:40:00 GMT

We're pleased to announce that Qwest's new Web-based training management system is now available. The LearningQ offers Qwest Business Partners and sub-agents a variety of product, process, sales, systems and technical courses. You’ll find the LearningQ on Q.Partner > Education > click the LearningQ icon. The first time you access the Learning Q, you’ll need to complete a new user profile. Once you have submitted your profile, you’ll be able to log in. You can find out more about the LearningQ by reviewing the navigation demo on the QBPP LearningQ landing page.

For questions and comments, please e-mail: rick@telephonypartners.com

PAETEC NEW YEAR SPIFFS

janderson — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:57:00 GMT

You said you wanted more bonus opportunities in 2009, so we give you more. Start with the loop, add in the service, and top it with some value added applications. With over 30 ways to make additional bonuses, 2009 is the year you can obtain huge payouts.

Click on the below links to learn more about each specific data promotion

PAETEC’s Data Local Loop Promotion
Not just a one-time spiff! Earn a residual payment on MPLS & Internet local access loop charges. All bandwidths from DS1 through OC12 payout, and Internet can be either Dedicated or Burstable.

PAETEC’s Simply Progressive Payouts
Earn one-time payments on Integrated T-1 or Dynamic IP orders. Increase the MMF and you’ll increase the payment. Increase the term; you’ll do the same. Increase both, and the bonuses stack. Simple, progressive, cash in your pocket

PAETEC’s “Pick Your Price – Pick Your SPIFF” Promotion
Earn 100% of the MRC you sell on an Internet circuit as a one-time SPIFF + 30% of the NRC. Available on Internet from DS1 through OC-12

PAETEC’s Value Add Data Promotion
Sell a “value add” data service to an MPLS data network or a Dynamic IP order with Local and LD, and earn an additional $150 payout for each service sold. There are 5 data products to choose from including Network Firewall, Data Backup and PAETECs Email Security Suite.

PAETEC Agents Win with PINNACLE
Earn a 5% commission on the sale of the PINNACLE Communications Management Suite or 60% of the Hosted or Managed Service fee in the event an MRC deal is sold.

PAETEC Year End Bonus - Extended
Earn an additional $200 per T1 for the first 5 T1s you sell in McLeod territory. Sell 6 or more and you earn $350 for each T1 sold in the month. © 2008 PAETEC

NY Agent Receives $80,000 in upfront commissions for Playmakers Spiff

janderson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:05:00 GMT

Only 15 Selling Days left for 4^th Quarter Playmaker Spiff (22 Calendar Days)

While our competitors struggle to stay afloat, XO flexes its financial muscle and debt free position to offer huge commissions on new sales!

100% upfront Commission on Nx-T1 Products and above

50% upfront Commission on Single T-1's and PRI's

EMBARQ Pricing Tool Training

janderson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:23:00 GMT

EMBARQ is pleased to announce a hands-on EMBARQ Pricing Tool demonstration! The 1 1/2 hour interactive training session will include step-by-step walkthroughs of the Dedicated Internet Bundle and Ethernet products. This is your opportunity to ask questions of the expert. Please make every effort to attend. Please also note that this training replaces the Web Site Orientation training scheduled for December 9. What: EMBARQ Pricing Tool TrainingDate: Tuesday, December 9 Time: 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. CST How to join:

Audio Conference: 866-420-3822, Conference ID 75772657
Live Meeting: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercall1/join?id=93SDD9&role=attend&pw=partner

FIRST-TIME USERSTo save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it isready to use Microsoft Office Live Meeting. http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90703 TROUBLESHOOTING Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps: 1. Copy this address and paste it into your web browser: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercall1/join 2. Copy and paste the required information: Meeting ID: 93SDD9 Entry Code: partner Location: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercall1If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support:http://www.webconferencesupport.com

tw telecom - Performance-Management Techniques Get Results

janderson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:36:00 GMT

What is performance management? It's the antithesis of the old way of thinking, which says that an employee should be able to set goals for the year and greatly improve performance simply based on one all-important, make-or-break annual performance review. By contrast, performance management is an ongoing process involving goal-setting, a dash of career coaching, frequent feedback and constant review of employee performance.

But performance management is also about giving employees the space they need to use their creativity and chart their own course. How do you mix these two seeming contradictions to produce a performance-management system that works for your team?

Key components of performance management

A quick Internet search for "performance management consultants" yields a list of armies of consultants ready to train your staff in performance-management techniques. But many of the most effective performance-management methods are easy to implement immediately:

Give feedback that's specific — instead of simply saying "good job on that project," specify what was good about it.
Give feedback that's timely (close to the event) and frequent.
Focus on behavior rather than personality when giving constructive feedback.
Be sincere in trying to help correct mistakes and ineffective behaviors.
Ask permission to give constructive feedback: "I'd like to give you some feedback on how you ran today's meeting — is that OK with you?"
Ask for your employees' view of situations and give them chances to identify behaviors that they agree to change, ways to improve communication or ideas for increasing output. Then summarize your agreements before ending the discussion and set a date to review employees' progress.

In the world of performance management, constructive feedback is not necessarily negative — and it isn't the opposite of positive feedback. Constructive feedback is a way of helping employees understand how their performance measures up to company expectations so that they can empower themselves and set goals to meet those expectations.

Benefits for you and your organization

All but the most recalcitrant or belligerent employees will benefit from performance management. Managers find performance management exciting because the coaching-based approach works by convincing employees to make behavioral changes without damaging their dignity. The method also improves productivity along the way because it encourages employees to take ownership of projects and use their own creativity and skills more effectively.

On the other side of the manager's desk, employees find that performance management teaches them methods of goal-setting and improved communication skills that serve them well in other areas of life.

Shifting your managerial focus to performance management has great benefits for you, your organization and your employees — and it all starts with a little feedback.

Be an XO PLAYMAKER and Earn Big Bonuses

janderson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Cash Bonus up to 100%
of MRC when you sell
selected XO services in
November and December

XO Communications is offering its agents a chance to earn big cash bonuses for being an XO Playmaker in November and December. Get a one-time cash bonus of either 25%, 50% or 100% of the MRC on selected XO services sold between November 1 and December 31, 2008:

? Dedicated Internet Access
? IP Flex
? IP Flex with VPN
? ISDN PRI
? MPLS IP-VPN
? SIP

25% of MRC	50% of MRC	100% of MRC
MPLS IP-VPN	DIA: DS-1	DIA NxT1, 10 Mbps via all access types, DS-3, OC-3, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps
IP Flex with VPN	IP Flex 1.5 Mbps	IP Flex 3, 4.5 & 10 Mbps
	ISDN PRI	SIP 3, 4.5 & 10 Mbps
	SIP 1.5 Mbps

Deltacom offers an additional $500 per T1

janderson — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Deltacom is pleased to launch a new Dealer Promotion offering generous bonus cash for selling our T-1 services. Significantly increase your Deltacom check by closing those T-1 deals.

Effective immediately and running through 1/31/09, Deltacom will pay: - $500 per T-1 sold with an MRC at or above $400- $200 per T-1 sold with an MRC below $400

Drive T-1 sales over the $400 mark to earn considerable cash payouts! Don’t forget to call your Dedicated Dealer Sales Support Desk (DSSD) at 888-358-7767 for proposal and pricing assistance. Sell those Deltacom T-1s this winter, and your payouts will really heat up!

Promotion Rules:

- Bonus paid on NEW acquisition T-1s. - Bonus paid on existing customers adding NEW T-1 (Conversions do not apply.)- LD T-1s will have payouts of $200.- Point-to-Point circuits will have payouts of $500.- Bonded T-1 products will have payouts of a flat $800 regardless of how many circuits are delivered.

- DS3 and MetroE do not qualify.

- T-1 bonus available for orders submitted from November 1, 2008 thru January 31, 2009. T-1s sold at $400.00 or above will get payout of $500. T-1s sold at $399.99 or below will be paid at $200. - Bonus and commission paid upon billing.- Charge back will occur for customer non-payment or if customer disconnects within 180 days of installation.- All other terms and conditions of your Dealer Agreement will apply.

- Deltacom reserves the right to refuse any contest bonus payout.

- Deltacom is a registered trademark of DeltaCom, Inc.

Telephony Partners will payout 70% of the total SPIF to the agent.

IPv6 is now available in Tampa!

janderson — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:34:00 GMT

TAMPA, FL/9/16/2008 Tampa's premier provider-independent Internet Communications Service Provider, E Solutions Corporation announced today that it has enabled IPv6 as part of the it’s preparations for the U.S. Government’s mandated IPv6 platform. E Solutions has successfully upgraded it’s infrastructure to support the IPv6 network, making it the first data center in the state of Florida to utilize the next generation IPv6 network and provide this platform to it’s customers."Our exclusive availability of IPv6 bandwidth coupled with our available power capacity and premium data center space, has E Solutions well positioned as an area leader today and well into the future, the dramatic spread of Internet adoption has dictated that IPv6 is where the Internet is headed," said Richard Nicholas, E Solutions’ CEO. "We are excited to take the lead in the state of Florida as the only Data Center offering IPv6 bandwidth."IPv6 is the successor to IPv4, which is the current IP protocol version used on the Internet. With the increase in Internet use, bandwidth and capacity demands, the IPv4 address space is likely to be exhausted, therefore IPv6 remains a technology that is gradually being adopted by technically savvy network operators. The U.S. Federal Government and the Research and Education community represent some of the earliest adopters of IPv6 across North America and Europe.More Information: IPv6 is a service provided by E-Solutions to customers. It is also the upcoming standard of IP connectivity throughout the US and in particular Govt agencies in the US. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/b-1-information.html#IPV6 Dates have been set by congress by which all branches of the military must be migrated to IPv6. At the moment, E-Solutions is the only facility in this region that can offer these services.